Perceptions of Benefits and Drawbacks in Maintaining Back Burner Relationships Online: A Report on Gendered Differences Among College Students

  • Narissra Maria Punyanunt Carter College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • Jayson L. Dibble Hope College, Holland, Michigan, USA
  • Michelle Drouin Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, USA; Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation, Fort Wayne, IN, USA
  • Christian Chambless College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • Ryan J. Martinez University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
  • Kayren Larrimore College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • Sumeyya Akdilek College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30560/mct.v1n1p48
Keywords: back burners, casual sexual relationships, communication technology, interpersonal

Abstract

This report investigates the perceptions of college students regarding the benefits and drawbacks of maintaining back burner relationships online, with a specific focus on gender-based differences. A mixed-methods study design was utilized. Participants included 762 undergraduate students (71% female, 71% Caucasian, 92% heterosexual) from communication courses at a Southwestern university. Participants completed a Qualtrics survey, and data were analyzed using content analysis with a focus on thematic coding. Inter-coder reliability was established at 98%. Results identified distinct gender differences in the benefits and drawbacks of back burner relationships. Females reported benefits such as emotional comfort and maintaining friendships, while males noted confidence boosts and the potential for future relationships. Conversely, females highlighted drawbacks related to relationship strain and emotional toll, whereas males emphasized complications arising from attachment and temptation. This report enhances the understanding of how young adults navigate interpersonal romantic dynamics in the digital age, contributing to research on relationship alternatives and the role of technology in modern romantic relationships. The findings inform future studies on relational decision-making and gendered expectations in digital communication contexts.

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Published
2025-05-27
How to Cite
Punyanunt Carter, N., Dibble, J., Drouin, M., Chambless, C., Martinez, R., Larrimore, K., & Akdilek, S. (2025, May 27). Perceptions of Benefits and Drawbacks in Maintaining Back Burner Relationships Online: A Report on Gendered Differences Among College Students. Media, Communication, and Technology, 1(1), p48. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30560/mct.v1n1p48
Issue
Vol 1 No 1 (2025)
Section
Articles
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